assimilate

[ verb uh-sim-uh-leyt; noun uh-sim-uh-lit, -leyt ]

/ verb əˈsɪm əˌleɪt; noun əˈsɪm ə lɪt, -ˌleɪt /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for: assimilate / assimilated / assimilating on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object), as·sim·i·lat·ed, as·sim·i·lat·ing.

to take in and incorporate as one's own; absorb: He assimilated many new experiences on his European trip.

to bring into conformity with the customs, attitudes, etc., of a dominant social group, nation, or the like; adapt or adjust: to assimilate the new immigrants.

Physiology. to convert (food) to substances suitable for incorporation into the body and its tissues.

to cause to resemble (usually followed by to or with).

to compare; liken (usually followed by to or with).

Phonetics. to modify by assimilation.

verb (used without object), as·sim·i·lat·ed, as·sim·i·lat·ing.

to be or become absorbed.

to conform or adjust to the customs, attitudes, etc., of a dominant social group, nation, or the like: The new arrivals assimilated easily and quickly.

Physiology. (of food) to be converted into the substance of the body; be absorbed into the system.

to bear a resemblance (usually followed by to or with).

Phonetics. to become modified by assimilation.

noun

something that is assimilated.

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of assimilate

First recorded in 1570–80; from Latin assimilātus “likened to, made like” (past participle of assimilāre ), equivalent to as- as- + simil- (see similar) + -ātus -ate¹

OTHER WORDS FROM assimilate

as·sim·i·la·tor, nounnon·as·sim·i·lat·ing, adjectivere·as·sim·i·late, verb, re·as·sim·i·lat·ed, re·as·sim·i·lat·ing.un·as·sim·i·lat·ed, adjective

un·as·sim·i·lat·ing, adjectivewell-as·sim·i·lat·ed, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use assimilate in a sentence

Despite the 21 years I did in prison for a drug conviction, I am assimilating back into mainstream or, dare I say, white America.
Ferguson Tensions in Black and White|Seth Ferranti|November 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
There are no easy solutions to assimilating refugees into a solid culture.
The Ugly Side of Sweden|Janine di Giovanni|July 17, 2013|DAILY BEAST
And the Process or Method of study, if it be an Assimilating one, also compels this co-operation.
Assimilative Memory|Marcus Dwight Larrowe (AKA Prof. A. Loisette)
Mazzini repudiated any artificial assimilating of the sexes; but their differing functions were equally sacred and necessary.
The Life of Mazzini|Bolton King

He adds then a reflection, evincing that he was assimilating some of the philosophy of life as well as of fighting.
The Life of Nelson, Vol. I (of 2)|A. T. (Alfred Thayer) Mahan
In assimilating the animal and vegetable kingdoms, Linnus denominates seeds the eggs of plants.
The Book of Curiosities|I. Platts
You know that, to quote what Gurney said one evening, to attain to assimilating your thought is the chief purpose of one's life.
The Letters of William James, Vol. 1|William James

British Dictionary definitions for assimilate

assimilate

/ (əˈsɪmɪˌleɪt) /

verb

(tr) to learn (information, a procedure, etc) and understand it thoroughly

(tr) to absorb (food) and incorporate it into the body tissues

(intr) to become absorbed, incorporated, or learned and understood

(usually foll by into or with) to bring or come into harmony; adjust or become adjustedthe new immigrants assimilated easily

(usually foll by to or with) to become or cause to become similar

(usually foll by to) phonetics to change (a consonant) or (of a consonant) to be changed into another under the influence of one adjacent to it(n) often assimilates to ŋ before (k), as in ``include''

Derived forms of assimilate

assimilable, adjectiveassimilably, adverbassimilation, nounassimilative or assimilatory, adjective

assimilator, nounassimilatively, adverb

Word Origin for assimilate

C15: from Latin assimilāre to make one thing like another, from similis like, similar

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

assimilate

Origin of assimilate

OTHER WORDS FROM assimilate

Words related to assimilate

How to use assimilate in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for assimilate

Derived forms of assimilate

Word Origin for assimilate